Lack of memory or difficulty in memorizing information is rarely linked to diseases of the nervous system such as Alzheimer's, a common problem also among young people and adults.
However, it is possible to improve the ability to set information by using techniques that facilitate memory access and increase the number of connections made by the brain, which facilitates learning and increases performance in studies and work.
So, here are 7 tips to change your routine and improve memory.
1. Always learn something new
Always striving to learn something new is to stimulate the brain to make new connections between neurons and to learn new ways of thinking and reasoning. The ideal is to engage in an activity that you do not master, to leave the comfort zone and bring new stimuli to the mind.
Starting a long process such as learning to play an instrument or speaking a new language is a good way to stimulate the brain as it is possible to start at easier levels that are progressing as the brain develops the new skills.
2. Take Notes
Making notes while you are in a class, meeting, or lecture increases the capacity of our memory for helping to fix the information in the mind.
When listening to something, writing and re-reading automatically as you write increases the number of times the brain receives that information, making learning easier and easier.
3. Remember
Remembering is one of the most important tools to stimulate memory, because it activates the ability to teach yourself something new and to always be in touch with the new information.
So when reading or studying something you want to fix, close the notebook or take your eyes off the information and remember what you have just read or heard. After a few hours, do the same, and repeat the process over the days as you will soon realize that it becomes increasingly easier to access the information in the mind.
Evaluate your memory right now with the following test:
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
- 7
- 8
- 9
- 10
- 11
- 12
- 13
Pay close attention!
You have 60 seconds to memorize the image on the next slide.
Start the test
60 There are 5 people on the picture?- Yes
- Not
- Yes
- Not
- Yes
- Not
- Yes
- Not
- Yes
- Not
- Yes
- Not
- Yes
- Not
- Yes
- Not
- Yes
- Not
- Yes
- Not
- Yes
- Not
- Yes
- Not
4. Reread information frequently
In order to learn something new, it is often necessary to reread information frequently or train again in the case of physical or manual skills such as learning to play an instrument or drawing.
This is because studying a new topic just the day before the test or accessing information only once makes the brain soon interpret the information as irrelevant, quickly discarding it from memory in the long run.
This discourages memory and diminishes learning ability, since everything new comes in and out of the brain quickly.
5. Doing physical activity
Doing physical activity frequently, especially aerobic exercise such as walking, swimming or running, increases brain oxygenation and prevents diseases that affect the health of the nervous system, such as diabetes and high blood pressure.
In addition, exercise decreases stress and increases the production of growth factors that stimulate the production of new connections between neurons, making access to memory faster and easier.
6. Sleep well
Most adults need 7 to 9 hours of sleep to rest properly and recover all the functions of the nervous system. Little sleep causes decreased memory, creativity, critical ability, and problem-solving ability.
It is during the deeper phases of sleep that toxic substances are eliminated from the brain and that long-term memory is fixed and consolidated, which makes small naps or interrupted sleeps often detrimental to having a good memory. See what happens to the body when we do not sleep well.
7. Have an active social life
Improving memory is not only stimulating the mind with difficult activities, because relaxing and having an active social life decreases stress, stimulates learning, and increases reasoning and argumentation skills.
Thus, it is important to frequently review friends, family or have long conversations on the phone to keep social life active. In addition, having a pet also helps to activate the brain.
Feeding is also an important part of brain health, so watch for food to improve memory by watching the next video.
To fix the learning, also read:
- Foods to Improve Memory
- Home Remedy for Memory